Saturday, August 22, 2009

Tender Buttermilk Waffles


During the workweek, I arise at 4 a.m. I stumble about, first feeding the cats, then becoming their doorman for the first 30 minutes or so, while I rummage and clang about making coffee and uncovering something palatable for a quick breakfast. Usually it's just toast, fruit, yogurt, and coffee; sometimes it's leftovers from the previous night's dinner (grins), depending on what we had.

I don't mind what some would seem as an ungodly hour. The evening stars still shine, but then I see the first light of day peeking over the hills before me. The occasional car speeds by (who else must get up so early, I wonder), tires ripping along the pavement, breaking into dawn's misty silence. Ole Sweetie-Pi slumbers through it all. By the time he arises my workday is half over; I am ready for lunch and now it is his turn to forage bleary-eyed in the fridge and pantry.

But the weekends are ours. Sharing breakfast has become an occasion. We can relax, share our morning thoughts, perhaps dreams we had, make plans for the few unbroken hours ahead that we can our own.

I am up early anyway, even on the weekends, as is my wont, reveling in the solitude of my thoughts, growing hungry, waiting in anticipation for the crack of the first egg.

When asked one morning what he wanted for breakfast, Ole Sweetie-Pi answered without hesitation, "Waffles." I didn't have time to make Coleen's sourdough waffles so I was sent scurrying to my cookbooks and I found this keeper recipe from the good folks at King Arthur's Flour in their 200th Anniversary Cookbook. I cut the recipe in half as there's only the two of us, and it still made 5 huge Belgium waffle sized waffles. The addition of buttermilk makes these tender and light. A good addition to the waffle repertoire!

Buttermilk Waffles
(from King Arthur Flour's 200th Anniversary Cookbook)
(this is their full recipe version; I reduced by half for the two of us)

4 cups flour
2-4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
1 quart (4 cups) buttermilk
1/2 cup (one stick) butter, melted, or vegetable oil

In a large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

In a second bowl, beat the eggs and buttermilk together until light and fluffy. Add the melted butter or oil. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir together for about 20 seconds. Take care not to overstir or the waffles will become tough.

Preheat your waffle iron, lightly greasing with a pastry brush. Using a scoop or a measuring cup (1/4 measuring cup seemed to be perfect for mine), pour batter into middle of the bottom plate and close the top. The batter should squeeze out to the edges, but sometimes I take the back of a spoon and "help" it. Wait 2 to 4 minutes and once the batter has stopped steaming, lift the lid to see if its brown enough to your liking. If the top doesn't raise easily, the waffle probably needs more cooking as the waffle should release when it's done. Try letting it go for another minute or two before checking it again. If it still doesn't release, gently pry apart, exercising caution not to become burned or damage your waffle iron.

Eat while hot with your favorite topping.

45 comments:

  1. Katy- These sound just perfect. I love the taste of homemade waffles. The buttermilk must give them such moistness inside and such flavor! Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Katy! These waffles look yummilicious. Alas! I am yet to buy a waffle maker.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is definitely perfect for breakfast:D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gosh reading this made me feel I was on vacation! I need a waffle maker! I don't know about getting up at 4am but my hubby does on the weekends, its his solitude time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Katy, I just saw Cristine's pancakes and now your waffle with BACON! My yogurt and granola which at first tasted so good taste like crap now! I WANT waffles, or pancakes and BACON!

    Btw, how do yo uget up so early? I struggle to get up at 7:30. Do you go to bed super early?
    ~ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  6. Katy, you for sure know what to cook to pamper yourself!
    The waffles look simply delicious.
    Angie's Recipes

    ReplyDelete
  7. I loved reading your story:) I love waffles but for some reason I have the worst time makeing them myself. They never turn out right for me and I think it's because Im constanly peeking at them..lol I asked for a waffle maker and as soon as I get one I will be making some with your recipe!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh it is so much fun to read your 'entry' to the recipe post. The setting makes the food so much more exciting! Grin. I can sooooo relate to everything you said...only I get up at 4:30 a.m....daily...weekends too...like you I am guessing. AND...I have a dog..but I am still the doorman! Grin. These days I don't wait to eat when the boys get up....they don't eat much for breakfast these days anyway and I guess I am a bit more selfish...its off to the gym. Then back for yougurt or something for me...the hubby downs a protein drink. Sigh...and I love to bake! HA!

    These waffles remind me of my mom's. Looks good....maybe I should get a waffle maker. I think my sister ended up with mom's. Love it. She also made a creamy, floury sauce for her waffles...wonder what that was?

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a treat waffles are for breakfast! I had them for dinner last night. I'm glad I have some leftover after seeing this! Makes me want them again. So yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow you are an early bird..
    Waffles made with buttermilk are the best..yours look wonderful Katy!! Add some creamy sweet sauce and strawberries,blueberries and raspberries..yum yum! I had breakfast but now this is making me hungry..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Did you say waffles? I'll be right over, Katy! And I'll even help!! Oh I am starving!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ingrid, I am a morning person. It's very hard for me to sleep past six o'clock, regardless of what time I stay up to. First the cats are howling at the bedroom door and secondly my bladder...well...you know LOL!

    I do retire earlier than what some would desirable (nine o'clock at the latest!) but I get my best work, thinking and planning done in the early hours. In the evening, I can put into action what I've thought about, such as blogging. It has worked well for me so far. I love seeing the first rays of morning.

    Trish, a creamy floury sauce for the waffles? The batter? Or was it something she served as a topping? Now I am interested as well! I like maple syrup but something new would be welcomed.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Linda, dear, door's unlocked. Coffee pot is on. I'll meet you at the door!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Katy, my cheerios and banana somehow doest't compare to your yummy looking waffles! Now, I've got to make these!
    I love your writing, dear Katy...this post sounded like the opening chapter to a wondereful book! I was ready to curl up and read for awhile!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I just bought a waffle maker abt 2-3 weeks back and I have some buttermilk left. Would love to try your recipe very soon! :D

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love waffles Katy...have never tried it at home...thanks a lot 4 sharing...lovely click...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Although I like staying up at night, I do also like gettingup early. I like that peace that you experience when You are fresh.

    What a great way to start out the day Katy.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How nice that you enjoy your morning instead of being annoyed that you have to be up so early. The waffle looks great1

    ReplyDelete
  19. Your posts always make me smile :) That's too cute that you and your "Sweetie-Pi" eat breakfast together on the weekends! The weeks just fly by and can be so chaotic, so it's nice to take a moment to sit down, talk and just "breathe"!

    Your waffles look delicious! I need to look around for my waffle iron!!!!! It's been "missing" for a while now...kind of wondering if my hubby didn't break it and throw it out when I was at work or something?!?

    ReplyDelete
  20. How many cats do you have?! I've never made waffles (or pancakes) from scratch, I've always used the box mix. I already have everything in my pantry for your waffles though... maybe I'll try them for breakfast tomorrow! My kids would think it's special!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Katy...creamy sauce as a topping. I am thinking it might be German or at the least .. a Mennonite dish. I am on the hunt for it and will share it. Doubt that it was for the calorie counters though...unless they like to add them up HIGH! Grin

    ReplyDelete
  22. OOOH Katy, I just love your descriptions...I LOVE home made waffles and pancakes, especially those made with Buttermilk..Once you make them from scrath, a box will never be bought again!! TY for a WONDERFUL recipe..hmmm, maybe I will treat us to a batch for our dinner tomorrow night :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow those waffles look mind blowing!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm bookmarking this Katy. I use waffles to make chicken and waffles. Next time you make a whole chicken try it Katy it's wonderful! make the waffles, take the chicken and shred it and put on the waffles and put gravy on top. It's fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  25. These look delicious. I'm glad you're able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast together on weekends. Your schedule sounds horrific. I hope you are having a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mmm. Waffles! I wish I had a waffle maker like yours. I have the kind that makes really thick waffles and I don't care for them as much.

    Buttermilk is a wonderful replacement for regular milk, it makes such a big difference.

    I think we better have some of these for our lazy Sunday morning!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your waffles look delicious and you have solved a great mystery for me. You are often one of the first people to send me a comment about my post (midnight here...4 AM East coast) I always wondered why you were awake at 4 AM lol.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Trish, I'll be interested in hearing what you discover. Cream sounds sounds very very good!

    Bunny, I have yet to serve waffles at dinner, though I should, shouldn't I? Back in the day there used to be waffle and pancake houses that were served all day long. Silly me, I see waffles as a breakfast food and never expanded my thinking beyond that. A nice chicken fricassee on the waffles would be terrific! And it would be a good way to use up leftovers, both chicken and waffles.

    Kim, I bought my waffle maker when Belgium waffles were THE rage, back when I was first married some 35 years ago. I now wish I had a smaller waffle iron because our appetites have become smaller (wish I could say the same for my waistline, which seems to have expanded!).

    Carrie, we have four kitties. We'd have a dozen if we had the room for them.

    Coleen, LOL I look at the time that you and Trish post and realize that you ladies are up at midnight or LATER publishing your posts (unless you've preset the time and dates for publication). I am amazed at how LATE people can say up. I'd be drooling in my keyboard at midnight.

    Wait. I am at 4 a.m. But that's because I'm always looking at everybody's gorgeous posts

    ReplyDelete
  29. It's Sunday morning and I'm up early and I have buttermilk in the fridge. Mmmmm... I can taste them already!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love to get up early too (not as early as you though!) Your waffles look so good. I love waffles, savory or sweet. Your stories are always as wonderful as your recipes.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a morning person too, although I wait until 6am. And I thought my cats ate early in the morning! They'll be jealous if they know that yours eat at 4am.

    Love the waffles. I can't believe the original recipe made so much. You'd be standing at the waffle iron all morning!

    ReplyDelete
  32. These look soooo good! Waffles are something we really enjoy...covered in berries and maple syrup. My husband will even spread Nutella on them! I prefer them with the fruit. Your recipe is much nicer that the one I have...I'll be making them this Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  33. The waffle looks perfect, and I'sure it tastes great! Have a nice day Katy.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Katy,
    The waffles look yummy. And thanks for the tip about King Arthur Flour's catalog. I am going to order some chocolate. I have a sourdough starter from them, but have not activated it yet. Loved your description of your morning.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Katy, your waffles look so light and fluffy! Now this is the way to spend a relaxing weekend. You totally rock!

    ReplyDelete
  36. What a spectacular breakfast! Great photo!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Your writing and story telling is like a warm summer breeze, so calming, I just love it.

    These waffles look perfect. My mom does the same thing on the week, and then also enjoys waffles with her man on the weekend. I think it's a wonderful tradition.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Very new to me......looks delectable...

    ReplyDelete
  39. You write beautifully.

    My waffle iron broke a while back and I didn't replace it. Your waffles make me sorry I didn't.

    ReplyDelete
  40. The other day I regretted selling my waffle iron...and now I feel that way today...looks so good.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love King Arthur Flour and these sound incredible. I would love to wake up to a hot plate of these with fresh fruit on top! You are a master, I can never do pancakes, crepes or waffles :S Love the new look too my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Delicious breakfast, Katy :) Nothing like a lazy weekend breakfast with your sweetie...and some bacon on the side. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I want it! I want it!!! I'd love to try waffles but I don't have the machine! A pity, I know! Your waffle looks perfect!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Mmmm, I could eat these right now! I love waffles. I am holding out for a waring pro waffle iron...love that thing!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I made these for dinner tonight and they were very light and fluffy- delish! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I've had it bookmarked for quite some time. I love that you don't have to by fussy and seperate eggs for it.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.